(KOKOMO) - Officials in Kokomo are condemning racist graffiti that was found spray-painted on yard signs for Democratic Party candidates.

The Kokomo Tribune reports that graffiti included the letters "KKK," an abbreviation for the Ku Klux Klan, and was discovered on Monday.

David Mendez says he "couldn't believe what it said" when he saw the graffiti on signs in his neighbor's yard. He called neighbor Monica Fowler, who was at work, and she believes it's a hate crime. She says it's "a scare tactic, and I don't want anybody to be scared."

The signs were replaced by the Howard County Democratic Party. A truck also was also spray-painted with "KKK" on its doors.

Kokomo police says at least seven properties were targeted. They've been in touch with the FBI and are investigating.